Limit
It was a space interwoven with blood and darkness, and once again, those three running girls appeared.
Watching their backs, this time Serea did not chase after them, not until a massive shadow covered the sky.
Opening her eyes, she looked up at the familiar wooden ceiling. Serea realized that she had returned to the elf tribe.
"That strange dream again."
Serea wanted to sit up, but as soon as she moved, a tearing pain shot through her body.
"Ugh!"
Helpless, Serea could only lie back down. Hearing Serea's cry of pain, Vina lifted her head slightly to glance over at the bed.
"My queen..."
"Vina?"
Turning her head, Serea saw that Vina was kneeling on the floor, with Lola standing beside her.
"My queen, you're awake."
Lola also greeted her.
"Mm, but... why are you kneeling on the ground?"
Serea asked Vina. Hearing this, Vina lowered her head even further.
"Previously, due to my recklessness, I caused your majesty to end up like this. I have no face to stand before you, my queen."
"Oh, you're talking about that. Just learn your lesson, there's no need to keep kneeling."
"Yes."
As Vina spoke, she tried to get up, but as soon as she stood, her body swayed and she nearly fell to the side. Seeing this, Lola quickly went to support her.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Vina shook her head, but Serea noticed the deep marks on her knees, a sign that she had been kneeling there for a long time.
"Don't tell me you've been kneeling here the entire time..."
"......"
"Looks like you have. Lola, take her downstairs and treat her wounds."
When Serea said this, Lola looked at her, a bit worried.
"But Your Majesty, you..."
"I'll be fine. You take her down first."
"All right, I'll be right back."
Saying that, Lola left with Vina for treatment.
After the two disappeared, Serea tried to move her arm about, but as soon as she lifted it, her hand dropped back down weakly.
"Hoo... I didn't expect the aftereffects to be this severe, and..."
Serea's thoughts went back to last night. Her memories were a bit blurry. Right then, someone entered the room carrying a wooden basin.
"You're awake?"
"C-Celia!"
Seeing who had come in, with her indifferent expression, it was indeed Celia.
The moment Serea saw her, memories of last night rushed back, and she became a little embarrassed, her face flushed.
"Um..."
She wanted to speak, but had no idea how to begin. Celia simply carried the wooden basin over to Serea's bedside.
"Just forget it. Considering it was Her Highness's body, I won't hold it against you."
With that, Celia sat down by Serea's bed. She dipped some elf cloth into the pale green spring water in the basin while Serea was still entangled in thoughts of last night's kiss.
She had helped treat her injuries, provided her with fresh blood in her weakened state, and even...
Just as she was thinking this, Celia reached to pull back the quilt.
"Ah! What are you doing?"
"Naturally, I'm helping you tend to your wounds. Do you even know how badly hurt Her Highness's body is?"
As Celia spoke, Serea looked down at her arm—red bruises covered it, all side effects from 'Blood Frenzy'.
"The muscle tissue all over your body is at least partially torn, your mental and physical strength severely depleted. If not for Lola's help, you wouldn't be able to move at all right now."
Hearing Celia's words, Serea was shocked. She hadn't expected that using 'Blood Frenzy' would have such severe side effects.
No wonder the system had warned her not to use it recklessly.
Noticing the pale green spring water in the basin, Serea asked:
"That is..."
"Elven Lifespring. It can accelerate healing. Just apply it to your body and you'll be fully recovered in a few days."
"That amazing... Then wait a moment while I get dressed. Where are my clothes?"
"Your clothes are right next to you."
Following Celia's gaze, Serea saw her clothes beside the bed. Celia then sensibly left the hut.
Afterward, Serea changed into her sleepwear, but after putting it on, she found the top felt a bit tight.
Could it be the clothes had shrunk? She immediately realized what had happened.
"Damn system, come out!"
System: What are your instructions, host?
"Was that kind of thing one of the side effects you mentioned as well?"
System: Yes. The system has already warned you.
"No way! You're just messing with me. Who has side effects like this?"
System: The host is currently in a human body. After activating 'Blood Frenzy', the blood clan's bloodline remakes the host's body and gradually helps it adapt to the vampire's power. During this transformation, the sudden influx of energy can sometimes cause abrupt physical development.
"..."
System: There's no need for the host to worry. With your current physical condition, development has now reached its limit.
"......"
Well, that's not important. It's still within acceptable limits, and besides, arguing with the system is just asking for trouble.
"Damn system, I see right through you now!"
Leaving those words behind, Serea exited the consciousness space.
(To be continued...)